Japanese Flowering Cherries, Sakura, Cherry Blossom
Among the most popular and spectacular spring-flowering trees, flowering cherries with their frothy masses of pink or white blossoms, usually signal the end of winter and reveal the first blush of spring. These ornamental cherry trees are not grown for edible fruit. While some produce purple-black pea-size fruits, they are inedible and appeal only to a wide variety of birds, including robins, cardinals, and waxwings.
Although ornamental cherry trees are typically planted for the majestic yet delicate beauty of their flowers, many varieties are noted for their multi-season interest. Some display wonderful fall colors, with their foliage turning brilliant shades of gold, red, or orange. Others feature fascinating bark, exfoliating, peeling, or shining like silk, adding a welcomed splash of color in the winter garden.
The cherry blossom (sakura) is Japan’s unofficial national flower. Celebrated for centuries, it is esteemed as the most beautiful and important of flowers in Japanese culture. In spring, during the blossom-viewing season called Hanami, flowering cherries are celebrated with huge festivals, parties, and family picnics wherever the cherries grow.
The term “flowering cherry” refers to seven species of Prunus (Prunus campanulata, P. incisa, P. jamasakura, P. serrulata, P. sargentii, P. spachiana (syn. subhirtella), and P. speciosa) and their cultivars. These flowering cherries come in a wide variety of sizes and shapes, and several are excellent additions to the garden. All are incredibly beautiful.
| Hardiness |
4 - 9 |
|---|---|
| Plant Type | Trees |
| Genus | Prunus - Flowering Cherry Tree |
| Exposure | Full Sun |
| Season of Interest |
Spring (Early, Mid, Late) Fall Winter |
| Height | |
| Spread | |
| Maintenance | Low |
| Water Needs | Average |
| Soil Type | Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand |
| Soil pH | Acid, Alkaline, Neutral |
| Soil Drainage | Moist but Well-Drained, Well-Drained |
| Characteristics | Fragrant, Plant of Merit, Showy |
| Attracts | Birds, Butterflies |
| Landscaping Ideas | Beds And Borders |
| Garden Styles | City and Courtyard, Informal and Cottage, Japanese Garden, Traditional Garden |
Flowering cherry trees do well in most gardens, and their care requirements are minimal. There are a few things to bear in mind, though, before purchasing a flowering cherry tree:
paylessimages / 123RF Stock Photo
| Hardiness |
4 - 9 |
|---|---|
| Plant Type | Trees |
| Genus | Prunus - Flowering Cherry Tree |
| Exposure | Full Sun |
| Season of Interest |
Spring (Early, Mid, Late) Fall Winter |
| Height | |
| Spread | |
| Maintenance | Low |
| Water Needs | Average |
| Soil Type | Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand |
| Soil pH | Acid, Alkaline, Neutral |
| Soil Drainage | Moist but Well-Drained, Well-Drained |
| Characteristics | Fragrant, Plant of Merit, Showy |
| Attracts | Birds, Butterflies |
| Landscaping Ideas | Beds And Borders |
| Garden Styles | City and Courtyard, Informal and Cottage, Japanese Garden, Traditional Garden |
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Create a membership account to save your garden designs and to view them on any device.
Becoming a contributing member of Gardenia is easy and can be done in just a few minutes. If you provide us with your name, email address and the payment of a modest $25 annual membership fee, you will become a full member, enabling you to design and save up to 25 of your garden design ideas.
Join now and start creating your dream garden!
